The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Rodgers: Bhoys are better than last season
Celtic: The numbers are down but manager says his team is superior
Brendan Rodgers says Celtic may be down on points this season but they are better than they were last term.
The Parkhead boss last month saw the Hoops long domestic unbeaten run finally come to an end while they have shipped more points already this campaign than they managed in the whole of last season.
Yet Rodgers reckons the champions are a slicker outfit than they were 12 months ago.
“We’re improving,” he said in the build-up to today’s Scottish Cup clash with Brechin. “In Dubai last week I was much happier with where we are in this moment than where we were last year. There is a much clearer way in which we work now. So that’s improvement and development for me.
“I know we’re better. Sometimes you may not have the points to show it. It’s all about perception and my perception as a coach is that the team is developing well. Now we’re looking to attack the second part of the season and with a lot less games to play we’re hoping to get back to the intensity that we have played most of our games with.”
Rodgers has kept his January recruitment to a minimum so far, with Marvin Compper the only new face to have joined his squad to date.
However, the German’s debut will have to wait after he picked up a calf strain during the club’s Middle East training camp.
That means 19-yearold Kristoffer Ajer could be thrust back into action for the fourth-round clash with Darren Dods’ parttimers – and possibly next month’s Europa League showdown with Zenit St Petersburg too. But after his mature display against Rangers before the winter break Rodgers insists the youngster has his full faith.
The Northern Irishman said: “He came here as an 18-year-old having played first-team football in Norway but needed to get used to a more physical game.
“I’ve been impressed by him. At 19 he’s shown up well any time he has played for us. There’s still a lot for him to improve on but I’m sure he’s got a lot of development left to become a better player.”
Brechin sit bottom of the second tier without a win but Rodgers will take nothing for granted when they visit Parkhead and added: “I’m sure Brechin will provide a tough test for us. OK they are bottom of the Championship with but they’re certainly playing for their manager. We’ve never been lazy on any opponent and Brechin will get the same respect as every other team.”